Young gives youth a chance at West

Two of West of Scotland's brightest young talents have been given a chance to shine this afternoon by skipper Ian Young as they head to Heriot's in the SNCL Premiership.

Seven days ago the Hamilton Crescent men got their first win of the 2011 campaign at Arbroath and Young and co will be looking to build on that today. They will have to do so without the experienced duo of Dougie Lockhart and Dave McNulty, but in their place come two exciting teenagers.

Fifteen-year-old Andrew Umeed returns having scored 78 not out against Aberdeenshire on the opening day and 85 in the washed out contest with Stirling County. Seamer Gavin Smith is the other age-grade cap added to the team that travels east and Young said: "It was pleasing to get a win last week because prior to that this season we had been really unlucky. If things had gone our way in the earlier weeks we would have been higher up the table and now we want to go on a run. It will be a tough game, but we are looking forward to it."

Meanwhile, Heriot's are boosted by the return of two key players for the match that starts at noon. The Edinburgh outfit have won their past two games against Clydesdale and Aberdeenshire to get their season up and running after promotion and captain Steve Knox comes back into the starting XI along with spinner Keith Morton.

Leaders Carlton welcome back Scotland trio Gordon Drummond, Preston Mommsen and Fraser Watts for the clash with Watsonians at Grange Loan. Drummond and Mommsen only returned to Edinburgh late last night following Scotland's Twenty20 friendly at Worcestershire, but will bolster the in-form side considerably.

Watsonians, who have won three of their first four matches, bring in Scotland batsman Ryan Flannigan and Scotland under-19 captain Paddy Sadler for James Easton and Raj Routray, while Fraser Boyd will keep wicket against his former team.

Forfarshire bring in Elliot McCandless for the home clash with Grange at Forthill and they will be hoping to get a completed match in given that two of their games already this season have been called off due to rain.

Grange will hope that spinner Andrew Brock has recovered from an injury sustained in the loss to Carlton to play his part in the bowling line-up.

Aberdeenshire take on Stoneywood-Dyce in a derby at Mannofield with the visitors looking for youngster Michael Leask to continue his good form after a half century in the win over Clydesdale last week.

Dunfermline Knights welcome Stirling County to McKane Park with both sides desperate to kick start their respective seasons, Clydesdale host Drumpellier, Arbroath travel to Greenock and it is the battle of the big hitters at Bothwell Castle as Paul Hoffman and Uddingston take on Michael Papps and Ayr.